Still Standing Tall

This hotel was fantastic- especially for the money (we booked on the internet for $139/night). The bed was wonderfully comfortable with luxury sheets and a feather topper we literally sank into bed each evening and the room was reasonably spacious. The concierge was very helpful giving us detailed directions everywhere we had planned to go and making dinner reservations for us. He also went above and beyond to try to get us reservations to dine at the Ritz Carlton during Ron Siegel's premier week (believe it or not, he got a time for us but it didn't work into our schedule :-( )

Unique Quality: Since the hotel is located on Nob Hill, we obviously had some fantastic views of the city. It also was very convenient when taking the cable cars since the different lines cross on Nob HIll. If you enjoy history, this hotel survived the San Francisco earthquake and fire in 1906, so it is a historical landmark.

Glorious views of all of San Francisco

The Fairmont Hotel is one of the most beautiful, luxurious and certainly classiest hotels I have ever had the pleasure of staying in. It was recently renovated, so the place it simply spectacular with marble floors, beautifully carved furniture and crystal chandeliers. Location-wise, the Fairmont is perfect. It's walking distance to everything and just a trolley ride to anything else. The food is delicious, with spacious rooms with incredible views of Alcatraz, the city and the bay!

Unique Quality: The lounge and lobby restaurant are particularly chic, with a piano player who gently taps sweet tunes on the ivory keys.

My Favorite Hotel as a Child

This is the grand hotel that my sisters and I always stayed in during our stopover from New York to Hong Kong. We loved this place, especially the ice cream parlour. I have since been back for business and the hotel has not lost its place in my heart.

Unique Quality: World-renowned, The Fairmont Hotel presents an awe-inspiring picture of historic San Francisco. The grandeur of the fully-restored hotel coupled with its reputation for impeccable service promises a truly memorable experience. The recently completed $85 million restoration project is highlighted by the re-emergence of the Main Lobby as a grand public space. Each of the hotel's spacious guestrooms and suites were also redecorated in elegant style.

Wait, I paid a ton of money in...

Wait, I paid a ton of money in rent to live here. I do know that the hotels that you want to stay in are mostly in the Union Square area. That's where all the commercialized shopping and some good restaurants are.

If you have a bit of cash to blow ($300 per night for a normal room) I definately reccomend The Fairmont. It's world famous, sits on a hill with a great view of the city, newly rennovated and georgeous and there is a bar/nightclub there called The Tonga Room. You must exerience The Tonga Room even if you don't stay at the hotel. Tiki drinks and fake rain galore!! It's fabulous.

Unique Quality: You get those little umbrellas and pineapple in your cocktails. Not enough bars use those umbrellas anymore.

Directions: Farimont is on California St. about four blocks from Union Square